This work presents twelve eclectic, far-ranging, and brilliant essays gathered together for the first time. The essays explore myth in all its dimensions: its history; its influence on art, literature, and culture; and its role in everyday life.

This second volume of Campbell’s essays (following The Flight of the Wild Gander) brings together his uncollected writings from 1959 to 1987. Written at the height of Campbell’s career - and showcasing the lively intelligence that made him the twentieth century’s premier writer on mythology - these essays investigate the profound links between myth, the individual, and societies ancient and contemporary. Covering diverse terrain ranging from psychology to the occult, from Thomas Mann to the Grateful Dead, from Goddess spirituality to Freud and Jung, these playful and erudite writings reveal the threads of myth woven deeply into the fabric of our culture and our lives.

Listening Length

13 hours and 16 minutes
Author

Joseph Campbell
Narrator

Braden Wright
Audible release date

March 9, 2018
Language

English
Publisher

Brilliance Audio
ASIN

B07BB3467D
Version

Unabridged
Program Type

Audiobook
See all details

Read & Listen

Switch between reading the Kindle book & listening to the Audible audiobook with Whispersync for Voice.

Prime Member Exclusive Offer

For a limited-time, get Audible Premium Plus free for 3 months.
You'll receive 1 credit a month to pick ANY title from our entire premium selection to keep forever (you'll use your first credit now).
You'll also get UNLIMITED listening to select audiobooks, Audible Originals, and podcasts.
After 3 months, $14.95/mo. Cancel online anytime.

Sold and delivered by Audible, an Amazon company

By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible’s Conditions Of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice.

Sold and delivered by Audible, an Amazon company

People who viewed this also viewed

Page 1 of 1Start OverPage 1 of 1

People who bought this also bought

Page 1 of 1Start OverPage 1 of 1

Related to this topic

Page 1 of 1Start OverPage 1 of 1

Product details

Listening Length	13 hours and 16 minutes
Author	Joseph Campbell
Narrator	Braden Wright
Whispersync for Voice	Ready
Audible.com Release Date	March 09, 2018
Publisher	Brilliance Audio
Program Type	Audiobook
Version	Unabridged
Language	English
ASIN	B07BB3467D
Best Sellers Rank	#125,840 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals) #3,522 in Social Sciences (Audible Books & Originals) #25,514 in Social Sciences (Books)

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5

42 global ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star 0% (0%)		0%
1 star 0% (0%)		0%

How customer reviews and ratings work

Sort reviews by

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

J. Kulakowski

Fantastic!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 19, 2021

Verified Purchase

I haven't met a Joe Campbell book I didn't like. Bonus points for the Grateful Dead experience.

Helpful

Rickey Roberts

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 29, 2018

Verified Purchase

Joseph Campbell is the best mythologist and storyteller. This is a great book for anyone interested in the subject.

Helpful

Buechernarr

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 22, 2017

Verified Purchase

Ever since I first saw the Campbell/Moyers interviews, I am a big fan.

Helpful

Kay

JOSEPH CAMPBELL

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 21, 2013

Verified Purchase

I am a professional storyteller. This work as well as many of his other books speaks to me on a personal as well as a deeply spiritual level.

4 people found this helpful

Helpful

Evelyn C. Rysdyk

A treasure of Campbell's previously unpublished and uncollected writing.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 26, 2017

This book is the latest volume in the collection being published by The Joseph Campbell Foundation. It offers the reader a treasure of previously unpublished and uncollected material that showcases Campbell’s relentless curiosity and passion for unearthing how we humans have shaped and been shaped by our cultural myths.

For instance, in the essay, “Comparative Mythology as an Introduction to Cross-Cultural Studies,” Campbell offers a brilliant comparison between the Western and Eastern perspectives of the Ultimate Mystery of Being that can help to understand the basis of Levantine religious fanaticism as well as Western perceptions of separateness and xenophobia.

In “Renewal Myths and Rites,” he draws very clear and precise parallels between Neanderthal ritual treatment of cave bear remains found in Germany with the more contemporary Ainu bear ceremony rituals, that makes a compelling argument for the roots of shamanistic spirituality being even more ancient than modern humans.

While Campbell’s earliest writings are laced with subtle misogyny that reveals how much he was a product of his own time and culture, this book also shows how his willingness to surrender to his curiosity evolved his ideas and perspectives over time. “The Mystery Number of the Goddess,” is one clear example of this that concludes with idea that humans’ final evolutionary leap “is leaving God for God.” That is, making the shift from the religiously prescribed and limiting idea of the Divine, to One which lies beyond the grasp of our understanding. After exploring a long trail of sacred mathematical descriptions of the ultimate nature of the universe, Campbell declares in the last few lines of the essay, that “the God beyond God” is actually “God’s Mother” – the Great Goddess of Life, Death and Regeneration as described by Marija Gimbutas.

If, like me, you seek to better understand the way our patriarchal culture ticks, and how we may escape the dangerous and life-destroying snares it has created, then I encourage you to add Campbell’s work to your reading list.

Evelyn C. Rysdyk

6 people found this helpful

Helpful

botany babe

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 5, 2018

anything joseph campbell

One person found this helpful

Helpful

G. James

Wonderful essays finally available

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 22, 1998

It is hard to find the scarce published of Campbell's essays and this book delivers. These selections are full of Campbell's brilliance but leave you wanting more. It is a good thing it is only PART of his collected works! There is more to come!

29 people found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Ben Warden

More head blowing stuff

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on September 3, 2021

Verified Purchase

Following reading The Power of Myth, Hero With a Thousand Faces and Pathways to Bliss, I purchased the rest of the entire collected works of Joseph Campbell, which was the other 16 books I'd not read, and am gonna work my way through them all, starting with this one. The Mythic Dimension is yet another book that, to quote General Melchett from Blackadder 4, has more twists and turns than a twisty turny thing. That being said, and whilst I enjoyed the ride still, I found this the hardest book to get into of the 4 I've now read so far. Possibly as it's a collection of essays rather than one long winding narrativised structure which is normally par for the course with Campbell's printed works. I have just finished this to be fair and I do think that sometimes one has to meditate a little after reading one of these books to really absorb what has been learnt. But what I love is that Campbell manages to find these nooks and crannies embedded within our history and use them very skillfully to enlarge or emphasise his overall points pertaining to how myths are derived and utilised in our culture. Still loving the series.

Miss Laura J Marsh

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on May 16, 2015

Verified Purchase

Joseph Campbell is my new intellectual hero

One person found this helpful

See all reviews

Amazon Music Stream millions of songs	Amazon Advertising Find, attract, and engage customers	6pm Score deals on fashion brands	AbeBooks Books, art & collectibles	ACX Audiobook Publishing Made Easy	Sell on Amazon Start a Selling Account

Amazon Business Everything For Your Business	Amazon Fresh Groceries & More Right To Your Door	AmazonGlobal Ship Orders Internationally	Home Services Experienced Pros Happiness Guarantee	Amazon Ignite Sell your original Digital Educational Resources	Amazon Web Services Scalable Cloud Computing Services

Audible Listen to Books & Original Audio Performances	Book Depository Books With Free Delivery Worldwide	Box Office Mojo Find Movie Box Office Data	ComiXology Thousands of Digital Comics	DPReview Digital Photography	Fabric Sewing, Quilting & Knitting

Goodreads Book reviews & recommendations	IMDb Movies, TV & Celebrities	IMDbPro Get Info Entertainment Professionals Need	Kindle Direct Publishing Indie Digital & Print Publishing Made Easy	Amazon Photos Unlimited Photo Storage Free With Prime	Prime Video Direct Video Distribution Made Easy

Shopbop Designer Fashion Brands	Amazon Warehouse Great Deals on Quality Used Products	Whole Foods Market America’s Healthiest Grocery Store	Woot! Deals and Shenanigans	Zappos Shoes & Clothing	Ring Smart Home Security Systems

eero WiFi Stream 4K Video in Every Room	Blink Smart Security for Every Home	Neighbors App Real-Time Crime & Safety Alerts	Amazon Subscription Boxes Top subscription boxes – right to your door	PillPack Pharmacy Simplified	Amazon Renewed Like-new products you can trust